On Thanksgiving night in Garfield, New Jersey, police arrested a man who allegedly argued with a Wal-Mart employee and then assaulted a police officer.
Garfield police were called to the Wal-Mart on Passaic Street after 23-year-old Passaic NJ resident Richard Ramos got involved in an argument in the store’s electronics department. According to authorities, Mr. Ramos argued with another patron before the problem escalated, at which time the store’s manager called police. When police officers arrived at the store, Mr. Ramos argued with and allegedly assaulted one of the officers. Mr. Ramos was subsequently pepper sprayed and arrested.
Mr. Ramos has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Garfield police were anticipating a very busy weekend, beginning on Thanksgiving night, due to the famous “Black Friday” sales offered by stores around this time. As a result, the Garfield police and fire departments were stationed near Wal-Mart and surrounding retailers to provide necessary security oversight.
Mr. Ramos could be facing serious penalties if he is convicted of the alleged offenses. In New Jersey, aggravated assault is addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b). According to the statute, aggravated assault may be considered a crime of the second, third, or fourth degree, depending upon the circumstances. In this case, if Mr. Ramos is convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer, he could be sentenced to up to five (5) years in NJ State Prison.
Mr. Ramos is currently being held at the Bergen County Correctional Facility in Hackensack NJ in lieu of $20,000 bail.
For more information about this incident, access the NJ.com article entitled “Man Pepper Sprayed, Arrested After Thanksgiving Shopping Dispute at Garfield Wal-Mart.”
